"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game called Anime Life Sim has drawn attention for closely resembling Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
• The game not only shares similar visuals but also mimics the gameplay mechanics of Nintendo's popular title.
• Anime Life Sim, developed and published by IndieGames3000, is scheduled for release in February 2026.

A new indie game, Anime Life Sim, has recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store and caught the eye of many for its striking similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming title appears to be a direct clone of the beloved Nintendo game, sparking discussions across gaming communities.

The Animal Crossing series has long been a source of inspiration for various games. While some have taken broad inspiration, others have more directly borrowed elements from Nintendo's franchise. However, outright copies are less common, making Anime Life Sim particularly noteworthy. The game is developed and published by IndieGames3000, a studio known for its diverse portfolio of titles across multiple genres.

Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Mimics Animal Crossing

The resemblance between Anime Life Sim and Animal Crossing: New Horizons extends beyond visuals. The PlayStation Store page for Anime Life Sim describes it as a "charming social simulation," where players can build and decorate homes, befriend animal neighbors, and engage in daily activities such as fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting—activities that are central to the gameplay of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Legal Implications of Copying Game Mechanics and Visuals

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules cannot be patented anywhere in the world, meaning there's no legal barrier to replicating the mechanics of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the situation becomes more complex when it comes to visuals. Elements like art style, character design, and graphics can be protected by copyright law in many regions. If Nintendo decides to take action against Anime Life Sim, it might focus on the visual similarities between the two games.

Nintendo is known for its aggressive legal stance in protecting its intellectual property. Whether the company will target Anime Life Sim remains uncertain, especially since it's unclear if the game is on Nintendo's radar. Currently, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release on the PlayStation Store, though it's not specified whether it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.